Article by the ABL
Grant Balfour, a cult-figure among baseball fans for his intense on-field persona, is coming home. Balfour, originally from Kings Langley in suburban Sydney, has put together, arguably, the finest career of any Australian Major Leaguer across eleven seasons.
He was selected to the 2013 American League All-Star Team, has pitched in the postseason with three clubs including with the Tampa Bay Rays in the 2008 World Series, and has a career 3.46 ERA over 528 games with 84 saves with 571 strike outs in 535.1 innings.
Balfour will arrive in Sydney on Thursday 11 December to commence an eight-day MLB Ambassador Tour:
Friday 12 December - Sydney:
Welcome Home Press Conference and Availability in Sydney
Will meet fans and throw out the first pitch as the Sydney Blue Sox host the Adelaide Bite
Saturday 13 December – Sydney & Canberra:
MLB Training with the Pros Session with local area junior players at Blue Sox Stadium
To present Ambassador’s Cup Trophy to the ACT Junior Club with the most new recruits this season and meet fans as the Canberra Cavalry host the Melbourne Aces
Sunday 14 December – Sydney:
Participate in tribute to his father, David Balfour, acknowledging his contributions to Australian baseball and meeting fans as the Sydney Blue Sox host the Adelaide Bite
Tuesday 16 December – Melbourne:
Press availability at Melbourne Ballpark with Australian Baseball League All-Stars
Wednesday 17 December – Melbourne:
To serve as honorary Team Australia Captain in the Australian Baseball League All-Star Game pitting the best home-grown talent in the league against the best of the imports
Thursday 18 December – Gold Coast
MLB Training with the Pros Session with local junior players at Coomera
Friday 19 December – Brisbane
Press Availability at AFA Stadium at Holloway Field
MLB Training with the Pros Session with local junior players at AFA Stadium at Holloway Field
Meet fans as the Brisbane Bandits take on the Canberra Cavalry
Training with the Pros is a long-standing program run by Major League Baseball in partnership with Baseball Australia and the teams of the Australian Baseball League which provides skill-training from Australian and imported professional baseball players.
For more information visit theabl.com.au or baseball.com.au